Thursday June 29 from 5:30 pm until the food is gone Vermont Farmers Food Center local food supper at Vermont Farmers Food Center – “Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) will be offering a locally sourced meal with seasonal produce every Thursday evening the rest of June & July starting at 5:30 pm until food is gone at VFFC on 251 West Street, home of the Vermont Winter Farmers Market in Rutland. The VFFC goal in serving this meal is to provide an opportunity for more of the Rutland community to experience & enjoy the freshness & better taste of locally grown produce in season. The weekly dinner provides an occasion for eating local food as an experience in community and the French concept of terroir, the belief that it does matter where our food comes from, and we do appreciate the hard working farmers providing us with real life giving nourishment. The $5 price for entrée is reasonable priced because our farmers are generous in their donations. Our farmers need to make a living so we need to pay them for the healthy food grown and used for these meals. Thank you to all the farmers, volunteers and supporters who are participating in helping VFFC build on our strengths as a resilient community. We have accomplished much at VFFC but we still have far to go. Thank you for being there with us. Vermonters spend only 7% of our food dollar on Vermont products. We can do better. For your own good health, try to use & eat more Vermont produce whenever you can.” From Kathleen Krevetski (who is featured in the most recent Rutland Reader)

10am-noon – TD Bank Rutland protests continue (we’re on the corner, at the apex of the streets – if you’re looking directly at the stand-alone booth or at the side of the building you may not see us) https://www.facebook.com/events/782080125284082/

12 pm orgResistance Summer pot-luck picnic on Lake Dunmore. All area resistance groups are invited! Branbury State Park, 3570 Lake Dunmore Rd, Brandon, VT 05733 We have the the screened in west shelter on Lovely Lake Dunmore reserved for our gathering. You do need to pay an day use entrance fee to get into Branbury State Park: $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids. Please bring a hearty side dish or dessert to share and your own beverage. We will provide paper products and meat and meat-less items to grill. The shelter is surrounded by grass, and swimming in Lake Dunmore is allowed! Please bring yard games, swim suits, beach accessories and folding chairs. If the weather is nice we certainly will be outside. Looking forward to meeting you! RSVP: https://act.moveon.org/event/cookout_attend/12034

Disappointed though we are by Ossoff’s loss in Georgia and Parnell’s loss in South Carolina, Democrats went up ~18 points. Parnell also lost, but Democrats went up ~17 points. This is a huge shift! The GOP had to throw tons of cash into a Georgia race that should have been a cake walk. Democrats are making tremendous gains in just six months! https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/877352952620392448

NEW ITEMS REQUIRINGACTION in no particular order – there are a lot, but that’s because I know that people are interested in different things. Pick the issue that you’re most concerned about, and take action.

1 “Indivisible is imploring us to submit amendments to the disastrous healthcare bill released finally by the Senate Republicans. Our amendments will go to Chuck Schumer and Senate staffers for use in the “vote-a-rama,” during which ANY Senator can submit as many amendments as he or she wants. Every amendment takes time to be introduced and voted on, so the thousands Indivisible hopes to collect will greatly slow down the process. Indivisible reminds us that “McConnell and Senate Republicans can still blow up Senate rules and cut off the amendment process. But to do that they’ll have to go on the record literally silencing the victims of TrumpCare in their own states, which they really don’t want to visibly do.” Let’s give Democrats as much ammunition as possible to fight TrumpCare!” (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

3 Repeat from previous newsletter (I’ve heard that it’s worth to call your Senator back to let him know that you still care and that you are still watching him): “There are two main ways that your Democratic Senator can fight back against Trumpcare:

Withhold consent. Your Democratic Senator can slow down Senate business, in part by “withholding consent.” The rules of the Senate are so complicated that Senators have to regularly consent to waiving some of them so that they can actually get work done. That includes shortening time for debates, expediting consideration of amendments, and scheduling committees. Your Senator can slow the Senate down to a crawl and focus attention to TrumpCare by withholding his or her consent on legislative business.

Filibuster by amendment. Republicans are using a special process called “reconciliation” to jam through TrumpCare. This means they only need 51 votes, instead of the usual 60, to pass it. But the trade-off is that they have to allow an unlimited number of amendments. Any Senator can file as many amendments as they want and then call them up for a vote on the Senate floor during a period called “vote-a-rama.” Democratic Senators can and should plan thousands of amendments and keep them going until Republicans agree to have public hearings on the bill.

Caller:Hello! My name is [name] and I’m calling from [place in state]. Am I correct that [Senator] opposes TrumpCare, the American Health Care Act?

Staffer:Yes! [Senator] is totally opposed.

Caller:I’m glad to hear that. Can you tell me what [Senator] has done so far to oppose it?

Staffer: [Senator] gave a speech on the floor recently that talked about the bill’s impact in our state. She’s listened to many constituents and heard their personal stories. She’s encouraged her colleagues to let us read the bill or have hearings on it. And yesterday she did an epic tweet storm.

Caller:I’m afraid it’s going to take more than talk and tweet storms to stop this terrible bill. We have to slow this process way down and call attention to the terrible bill Republicans are trying to jam through in total darkness. We have to use every tool available. Does [Senator] intend to withhold her consent on all Senate business until we have hearings and a complete CBO score?

Staffer:Withholding consent doesn’t actually buy us that much time. It would only delay things by 30 hours.

Caller:I’m not just talking about refusing to agree on shortening debate time on TrumpCare or other bills. I’m talking about withholding consent on amendments, placing holds on nominations, and objecting to all unanimous consent requests until there are hearings and a complete CBO score. Will the [Senator] do that?

Staffer:Well, [Senator] thinks that could backfire. We’re trying to work together with Republicans on on other important issues, like investigating Russian interference in our democracy.. Withholding consent could make that more difficult.

Caller:Of course we want to know more about the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. But 23 million Americans’ healthcare, including [coverage loss in state, find here] is important too. That’s what’s at stake. This is the most important thing right now and the issue the Senator needs to be focusing on. I don’t think anything else is worth healthcare getting ripped away from millions of Americans.

Staffer:I’ll let [Senator] know of your thoughts.

Caller:Please do. I expect her to use every tool she has. That also includes offering as many amendments as it takes to draw out Senate debate on this bill during vote-a-rama.

SAMPLE CALL DIALOGUE: FILIBUSTER BY AMENDMENT

Caller:Will [Senator] prepare hundreds or thousands of amendments to offer during vote-a-rama?

Staffer:I’m not sure what you mean. Vote-a-rama only lasts a night or so.

Caller:That’s because both parties have always agreed to end it. [Senator] can file thousands of amendments—and then call each of them for a vote—so that debate is prolonged long enough to leave Republicans with no choice but to agree to hearings and a complete CBO score. Along with her colleagues, [Senator] can and should let the Republicans know they will offer amendments into the July 4 recess or longer, holding the floor with amendments as long as it takes to guarantee Americans can read the bill, see a CBO score, and that the Senate has hearings.

Staffer:Again, the Senator thinks that could backfire. There are other things we want to work on, as well.

Caller:That’s terrible. Like I said, this is the most important thing happening right now. I expect [Senator] to get in the arena for her constituents. The stakes are too high to leave any tool at her disposal unused.

Staffer:I’ll let [Senator] know of your thoughts.

Caller:Please do. If she isn’t using these tools, that means she’s not doing everything in her power as a Senator to stop TrumpCare. I expect her to use every tool she has. That includes withholding consent and offering as many amendments as it takes to get a hearing and a CBO score. Please take down my contact information so you can let me know when [Senator] decides to play hardball.

Action: Contact your friends/relatives in these states and ask them to contact their senators to: Demand public hearings, Insist upon the inclusion of the health care initiatives that the AHCA is cutting, Protest the intentional efforts to sabotage the ACA, Protest the passage of a bill that will result in anyone losing coverage and/or will not guarantee people with pre-existing conditions won’t see higher premiums, and to protest any bill that eliminates funding for Medicaid. (To strengthen your argument, see how much premiums would increase and how many people would lose health coverage in each state under TrumpCare. https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/impact-of-trumpcare-by-state/) (And if your friends need tips for what to say on the phone, see the sample script https://www.indivisibleguide.com/resource/stop-trumpcare-senate-call-script/)

TN – Lamar Alexander 202-224-4944

WV – Shelley Moore Capito 202-224-6472

LA – Bill Cassidy 202-224-5824

ME – Susan Collins 202-224-2523

TN – Bob Corker 202-224-3344

AR – Tom Cotton 202-224-2353

AZ – Jeff Flake 202-224-4521

CO – Cory Gardner 202-224-5941

SC – Lindsey Graham 202-224-5972

NV – Dean Heller 202-224-6244

AK – Lisa Murkowski 202-224-6665

OH – Rob Portman 202-224-3353

Action: Write sample letters to the editor, send them to your friends in the above states, and ask them to send their own stories into their local papers.

Action: Apparently, if you type “Friends in Tennessee” into Facebook, you’ll get a list of residents in Tennessee to call to ask them to contact their senators about the AHCA.

5 “Migrant Justice’s march to Ben & Jerry’s Vermont facility to demand that the company join the Milk With Dignity program as promised, was a success; Ben & Jerry’s CEO Jostein Solheim stated that they are “ready to go.” http://bit.ly/2sYtrZv However, two of the farm workers who led the march were arrested and detained on their way home, then turned over to ICE http://bit.ly/2tWcNqL” (from http://roganslist.blogspot.com/)

Action: Contact Congressman Peter Welch 802-652-2450 or https://welch.house.gov/contact/email and ask him to do whatever he can to ensure the passage of Russian sanctions. Make sure you mention that you are a constituent.

7 “Philando Castillo. Alton Sterling. Michael Brown. Amadou Diallo. 12-year old Tamir Rice. And just week, Charleena Lyles, a pregnant Seattle woman. Each was a precious human being – Philando, a beloved son, brother, boyfriend and cafeteria worker who served hundreds of children; Alton, a beloved father of five, nephew, and son known in his Baton Rouge community as “CD Man”; Michael, a college-bound 18-year-old beloved by his parents, family and friends; Amadou, a beloved 23-year-old son and Guinean immigrant who aspired to be computer programmer; Tamir, a beloved 12-year old son, brother and sixth grader who loved to swim, draw, and play basketball; Charleena, a beloved mother of four – shot to death by the police. In each case the officer was not charged. Why? Because the legal standard established by the Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor is that reasonable use of force by an officer must be viewed from the perspective of what appeared reasonable in the moment of its application – not 20/20 hindsight. Or, as Trevor Noah said this week on the Daily Show: “What they are basically saying is, that in America, it is officially reasonable to be afraid of a person just because they are black.” This week all-of-us must fight for criminal justice reform by recognizing every black family affected by these killings.”

Action: Sign Color of Change’spetition to halt severance talks between Philando Castille’s killer and the police department that hired him, and to get alerts from Color of Change. (from wall-of-us.org)

8 Insist that our elected representatives condemn acts of violence against Muslims.

Write: A postcard/letter/email to your three Members of Congress (lookup). Script: Hi. I’m a constituent from [town, ZIP] and heartbroken about the increasing attacks on Muslims, Jews, and Sikhs in our country. Worse, our president refuses to acknowledge these events publicly, giving the impression that it’s okay to hurt fellow Americans because of their religion. I am writing to ask Sen./Rep. [name] to use her/his media channels to loudly and clearly condemn these attacks when they happen. Even if our president fails to set a good example, your constituents need to know you are offended by and oppose this violence. Thank you. Name (and address, if you want a reply).

9 Advocate for the rights of Americans and for civility toward immigrants.

Call: Your governor’s office (lookup). Script: I am deeply concerned about ICE’s increasing aggression in our communities throughout the state. In Virginia, for example, ICE is stopping legal citizens to ask for proof of citizenship because of how they look. This creates a hostile environment for citizens and immigrants–and makes us all less safe. I am calling to request that Gov. [name] contact Homeland Security Sec. Kelly and express his/her desire to “insure domestic tranquility.”

10 Advocate for open, frequent press briefings.

Read: What we lose if the president curtails press briefings more than he has.

Call: The White House Comment line 202-456-1111 (or email). Script: Hi. I am concerned about the lack of open press briefings at the White House. I think a free press is essential to our democracy. I would like open, televised briefings from the president on a regular basis. Thank you.

Script: Hi. I’m a subscriber/viewer and am concerned about the lack of open press briefings at the White House. I think a free press is essential to our democracy. Can you tell me what [org] is doing about this issue?

Call: Your one representative (lookup or leave a message).Script: I’m from [ZIP] and support fair voting and efforts to stop racially discriminatory gerrymandering. Although this issue is going to the Supreme Court, I’m calling to ask you to support HB711 to address this issue legislatively.

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] calling to express my concern about the maternal death rate in the US. I [am/would like to be/have a child who will be] a mother, and a report from ProPublica shows that American women die in childbirth more than in any other developed nation. I’m sure [name] shares my concern. (pause) Would s/he be willing to co-sign legislation to prevent these unnecessary deaths? The bill is the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act ( 1112). Thank you.

15 Oppose US forces violating human rights in in Yemen.

Call: Your three Members of Congress (lookup or leave a message). Script: Hi. I am from [ZIP] and deeply disturbed by the AP report showing US forces are complicit in the torture and disappearances of detainees in Yemen. The story shows that US forces are questioning Yemenis, possibly after they’ve been tortured, and giving questions to Emirati officials who may ask them under torture. This is unconscionable and un-American. I am asking Sen./Rep. [name] first to speak to house/senate leadership about this issue, and secondly, to introduce legislation that requires “interrogation assignments” to require a classified briefing of Armed Services committee. Thank you.

16 Send a note to our friend Nestor Avila, a DREAMer in ICE detention. Nestor’s volunteer told me he is so happy to hear from people and has gotten more mail in the last month than he has in his whole life. That’s thanks to you. He’s recently been put in solitary confinement because of his depression. He could use encouraging, funny, or colorful notes to lift him up, and also receive marker- or crayon drawings too (which he hangs on the walls). Send no money or gifts. Just hugs via mail. Address: Nestor Daniel Avila Miranda, A# 204-631-097, P.O. Box 248, Lumpkin, GA 31815

Thank Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) for meeting with Sec. Kelly to discuss recent events where ICE officers have randomly stopped American citizens to ask about their legal status. I appreciate your honest, collegial way of handling this concerning issue. Address: Common Ground for Virginia, P.O. Box 1475, Richmond, VA 23218

Thank Xavier Becerra, Attorney General of California, for standing up for civil rights. Banning CA state-funded travel to four additional states which passed discriminitory legislation against LGBTQ Americans is powerful way to send an important message. I appreciate your leadership and advocacy for equality. Address: AG Xavier Becerra, CA Department of Justice, Attn: Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

19 The Senate healthcare proposal continues the attack on Planned Parenthood http://bit.ly/2rVFlnN Planned Parenthood provides medical care for those most in need, yet the GOP bill would strip Medicaid reimbursements from the organization for a full year. Let’s call our Senators and let them know that we will continue to oppose any legislation that attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. Those of us who prefer call scripts modify the one offered at 5calls: https://5calls.org/issue/recDhWOMQEoPN6mlr

20 Thanks to the response of tens of thousands of concerned citizens, the Department of Health and Human Services will no longer be removing a question from a federal survey regarding LGB older adults who participate in programs funded by the Older Americans Act http://read.bi/2tCismy Still, the follow-up question regarding transgender seniors is set to be removed. Let’s give the Department of Health and Human Services a call and let them know that we do not want them to erase our transgender community 1-877-696-6775 (press 5)

21 The New England Coral Canyon’s National Monument is now under review by Ryan Zinke’s Interior department. https://www.ecowatch.com/zinke-coral-canyons-2445601093.html Let’s tell the Ryan Zinke and the Interior Department we want to keep this monument, and all the others under question, as is. They are irreplaceable national treatures. Ryan Zinke, US Dept of Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington DC 20240

24 Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions may be demanding a return to the most destructive policies of the failed War on Crime, but there’s still a bipartisan majority in Congress in favor of effective criminal justice reform, and we need to show them we still want them working together for change. Senators from both parties have come together to introduce the Fair Chance Act, which would bar federal employers and contractors from asking applicants about their criminal history until the final stage of the process. This will help make sure the formerly incarcerated get a fair shake at finding employment. (http://www.philly.com/philly/business/labor_and_unions/Booker-Republicans-introduce-federal-ban-the-box-legislation.html) Let’s join our Action Alliance partners at 5 Calls and urge our senators to help move this bill forward: https://5calls.org/issue/recGvA40wQuE7Irp4

25 We know that neither scientific expertise nor ethics matter to Trump and his minions, but it’s apparently time, again, to let Scott Pruitt know that both matter to us. The head of the EPA this week dismissed nearly all of the members of the Board of Scientific Counselors, a body charged with reviewing and advising EPA research departments on their scientific methodology: http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-epa-dismisses-people-charge-scientific-integrity/ As has been the case with the ACA, Trump and his appointees continue to sabotage the programs or agencies they can’t outright abolish. Pruitt’s EPA phone number is 202-564-4700.

26 Here’s an opportunity to help another Congressional district turn blue! “Oklahoma’s 75th House District was re-opened after the Republican who won in November’s election was forced to resign in the wake of a personal scandal. Karen Gaddis was the Democrat on the ballot then and she’s back campaigning hard for the Special Election July 11th.” Let’s help by postcarding! Details here: http://mailchi.mp/ind-d6/postcards-to-oklahoma-voters-ok

29 The Philando Castile case and the shooting of Charleena Lyles are horrific reminders that police reform is needed in the United States. One of the ways this can be started is through consent decrees between police departments and the Department of Justice. Back in April, however, Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered a review of the Justice Department’s police reform activities and consent decrees. Let’s give Sessions a call and tell him that we support consent decrees and expect him to stop delaying the ones which should already be in place. 5calls has more information, a call script, and phone number: https://5calls.org/issue/recE23p05mKPjWrzC We can also read more about the consent decrees and reform efforts which are taking place in select cities within the U.S.: http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/04/politics/jeff-sessions-consent-decree-roundup/index.html

31 Let’s write to “Dear Abby” – not to ask for advice, but to give some! [Wednesday was] National ASK Day – encouraging parents to simply ask if there are unsecured guns in places where their kids spend time. [Wednesday], the “Dear Abby” column gave this horribly tone-deaf advice, telling a parent to mind her own business to avoid being “off-putting.” http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/2017/6/21/1/mom-searches-for-right-approach-to?utm_source=dearabby-twitter&utm_medium=socialmarketing&utm_campaign=social Please ask “Dear Abby” to retract this deadly advice and use the platform to give life-saving advice to parents. Always ask if there are guns in the homes where children spend time, and how the guns are stored. There are too many grieving parents in this country who wish they could go back and do that. Address: Dear Abby, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069

32 “We can live in a world where the police don’t kill people by limiting police interventions, improving community interactions, and ensuring accountability.” Let’s join Campaign Zero and see how we can help make this happen: https://www.joincampaignzero.org

33 Months after abruptly firing half of our U.S. attorneys, Trump has finally begun the process of replacing them. He has announced names he would like to fill eight of the 93 open positions. http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2017/06/12/trump-us-attorney-nominations-239457 Given Trump’s pattern of demanding loyalty to himself above loyalty to the rule of law from government officials, it is crucial that the Senate not just rubber stamp these nominees. Let’s call our senators and make sure they do not vote to confirm any U.S. attorneys unless they affirm under oath that they have made no promises of loyalty or special treatment to the administration in exchange for their position, and that they will put the law first.

34 Representative Sean Patrick Maloney and 35 other Members of Congress sent a letter to the Indonesian ambassador in response to Indonesia’s government-sponsored violence against the LGBTQ community http://bit.ly/2qNYB4s Let’s thank Representative Maloney for speaking out 202-225-5441 We can also check the letter to see if our MoC signed it, then thank them as well http://bit.ly/2rJD6n8

35 House representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) introduced H.Res.395 yesterday which reaffirms the leadership of the United States in promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons. The resolution has 62 co-sponsors already. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-resolution/395/cosponsors We can read the full text of the bill by clicking the “text” tab at the top of the cosponsor list. Let’s contact our own representatives and ask them to support HRes395 if they have not already. (Welch has done so – so consider thanking him.)

36 The 85th Annual Meeting for the United States Conference of Mayors will take place this weekend, June 23rd-26th. Among the issues to be discussed is the 100% Renewable Energy in American Cities resolution. Let’s see if our mayors have already committed to supporting this resolution, then give a call to either thank them for doing so, or ask that they vote to support the resolution http://bit.ly/2oxWlyy We can also edit and send Sierra Club’s form letter http://bit.ly/2tNtFjt

“The U.S. Senate votes next week on the just-announced, incredibly damaging “Better Care Reconciliation Act.” This bill would plunge tens of millions of moms, children, and families into crisis, end Medicaid as we know it, and devastate our economy.”Let’s join MomsRising in telling Republicans to stop attacking our families: http://action.momsrising.org/sign/stop_attacking_families/